Frank Ordoñez / The Post-StandardFormer Syracuse University cornerback Kevyn Scott has earned a master's degree and a shot at the NFL.

Syracuse, NY – Watching hours of NFL Draft coverage through three days on ESPN and waiting through 253 selections without hearing your name called might be a little more palatable when you’re about to receive a master’s degree.

“I watched the whole thing,” said Scott, who went undrafted but signed a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins late Saturday.

“It was hard to watch. You have to be ready to not be picked,” said Scott, the SU defensive captain last season who had received an NFL grade that indicated he could be chosen in rounds four through seven.

Scott, who battled through an injury-filled 2010 season to earn a starting spot in the Orange secondary last fall, made 87 tackles in four years for the Orange. The Tamarac, Fla., native added five interceptions, including two last season.

But Scott was far from an ordinary student-athlete for the Orange. He was an academic All-American who will walk across the stage at SU on May 12 to receive a master’s degree in information management.

If professional football doesn’t work out, Scott is probably covered. He already has turned down several job offers in his field. But the 23-year-old said he would always wonder ‘what if,’ if he didn’t pursue his sports dream.

“You never want to have that one main regret,” he said.

Scott said he visited and worked out for several teams besides the Dolphins, including the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons and Oakland Raiders. He liked the Dolphins, he said, because of the new coaching staff, and the vibe that there might be more opportunity in Miami with Joe Philbin and his staff.

“It’s very exciting,” said Scott, who will participate in the Dolphins’ rookie mini-camp next weekend.